Tempera and gold on wood, depicting Basil the Great (Vasily), Gregory de Nazianze (Grigory) and John Chrysostome (Ivan), with legends in Russian on the lower part.

Very good condition, tiny gaps.

Russia, late 19th century.

H. 54 x L. 45 cm.

Born in Cappadocia (present-day Turkey), Basil the Great (329-379), Grégoire de Nazianze (329-390) and Jean Chrysostome (349-407) entered history under the name of the "Three Holy Hierarchs". Pious scholars in the 12th century quarreling over which of the three was the greatest, recourse was had to the holy and learned bishop John, Metropolitan of the Euchaites, to resolve the question. The latter prayed and, the following night, during a vision of the three saints, they enjoined him to stop the dispute: "We are equal before God, there is no dispute between us!"For their common celebration, Jean chooses January 30th.